Review: Game Night

The first surprise hit of 2018 is here! ‘Game Night’ really seemed like it would be mediocre at best, but delivers a surprising amount of laugh out loud moments with an ensemble cast all getting their time to shine. What could’ve become a ridiculous amount of events getting more and more stupid actually defies these expectations and plays out a lot better than it has any right too.

A film with a premise like this relies on its cast to keep things afloat and from ever becoming too bogged down on how ridiculous everything is. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams usually aren’t the most universally loved actors, but both lead this film without ever becoming annoying or too chaotic. An over the top performance probably would’ve derailed this film into becoming too much, but everyone involved keeps it hilarious without trying to force it. This is most evident with the film’s stand out, the criminally underappreciated Jesse Plemmons. Comedy is something we haven’t really seen him do, but as the creepy cop neighbour Gary, he steals every scene and by not being overused, never becomes stale or repetitive.

You’re not laughing because the script has spoon fed you a set up, you’re laughing because it’s hilarious within its own right.

The biggest success of this film is that it doesn’t rely on its premise alone, each couple has their own subplots that don’t feel forced and improve the pacing of the film significantly. The other major plus is that the laugh out loud moments come out of nowhere. You’re not laughing because the script has spoon fed you a set up, you’re laughing because it’s hilarious within its own right.

During the award season months, comedies tend to not get much of a look in and get send out to tank, but this is well worth your time, not only because it’s good, but due to the fact it’s bloody hilarious. Not bad considering it’s directed by the guys who wrote ‘Horrible Bosses 2’.